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Kenya eTA for US Citizens: Cost, Documents and Processing Time
US citizens need a Kenya eTA before travel. Fees from US$30, the US$100 expedited option, 3-day processing, required documents and exemptions, from official sources.
About this route
This guide covers the official Kenya entry process for United States passport holders: required documents, the application steps, and where our optional support fits in.
Do United States citizens need a visa for Kenya?
Not a visa, but an electronic authorisation that does the same job. United States passport holders must obtain a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before they start their journey. The official eTA portal describes it as a document that foreign travellers must apply for before entering Kenya, replacing the traditional visa for most visitors. The requirement applies to every traveller, including infants and children, and the eTA must be shown at departure and arrival points.
Kenya describes the eTA as a semi-automated system that determines a visitor's eligibility to travel. It grants permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry: admissibility is decided by the immigration officer at the port of entry, exactly as with a traditional visa.
Who needs the Kenya eTA and who is exempt
Almost every foreign visitor needs an eTA, and the exemptions listed on the eTA general information page do not include the United States. Americans should therefore assume they need one for every visit, however short.
- Exempt: holders of Kenyan permanent residence, valid work permits and passes, and passports endorsed with valid re-entry passes.
- Exempt: citizens of the East African Partner States (Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda) for up to 180 days, and nationals of a list of mostly African, Caribbean and Pacific countries for up to 90 days.
- Exempt: cruise passengers who arrive and leave on the same ship without disembarking, and private aircraft owners refuelling without leaving the airport.
- Still required: diplomats and members of international organisations accredited to Kenya complete an eTA, although they do not pay for the standard service.
Other destinations for United States passport holders
You can apply yourself.
This guide covers the full official process step by step. Honesty builds trust. If you have questions, you can reach us through the contact options above.
Kenya eTA cost for US citizens
The portal's FAQ sets out two service levels. Normal processing, which may take up to 72 hours, starts at US$30. Expedited processing with immediate handling costs an additional US$100. Fees vary with the type of travel application selected and are paid on the portal by credit or debit card to the Government of Kenya. Kolay Seyahat is an independent consultancy; our assistance fee, if you use it, is separate.
| Service | Official fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Normal eTA | From US$30 | Up to 72 hours, usually 3 business days |
| Expedited eTA | Normal fee plus US$100 | Immediate processing |
| Diplomats accredited to Kenya | No fee for the standard eTA | May pay for faster service |
Kenya recommends submitting at least two weeks before travel even though most applications are processed in three days, because verification can take longer. Paying US$100 for expedited processing is a remedy for genuine last-minute trips, not a plan.
Documents required for the Kenya eTA
The FAQ lists what a typical application needs; requirements vary slightly by category. Prepare digital copies before you open the form.
- A valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity and at least one blank page.
- A selfie or passport-type photo.
- Contact details: email address and phone number.
- Travel itinerary with arrival and departure details.
- Accommodation booking confirmation.
- A payment method such as a credit or debit card.
The accommodation requirement surprises travellers on safari circuits who move between lodges. A booking confirmation from the tour operator covering the itinerary satisfies it; a note saying "to be arranged" does not.
How to apply for the Kenya eTA step by step
Applications are accepted only through the official website etakenya.go.ke or the "Kenya Travel Authorisation" mobile app, and each traveller needs their own application. Someone else can apply on your behalf, and groups can use the "Apply as a Group" option, but the rule remains one eTA per passenger.
⏱️ Application Steps
1. Step 1: Gather the documents
Passport scan with 6 months validity, a selfie or passport photo, itinerary, accommodation confirmation and a payment card.
2. Step 2: Open etakenya.go.ke or the official app
Choose the traveller category. For a family or tour group, select Apply as a Group so each person gets an authorisation.
3. Step 3: Enter biographic details and answer the eligibility questions
The eTA collects biographic information and eligibility answers; enter names exactly as in the passport.
4. Step 4: Pay the fee
From US$30 for normal processing; add US$100 if you need immediate handling.
5. Step 5: Track and download the approval
Check status on etakenya.go.ke. Travel only after approval, and carry the eTA for departure and arrival checks.
Arrival in Kenya with an eTA
Print the approved eTA or keep it on your phone; it must be shown at all departure and arrival points. At the airport in Nairobi or Mombasa the immigration officer checks the authorisation against your passport and decides admissibility, so carry the same documents you uploaded: itinerary, accommodation confirmation and proof of onward travel help if questions arise.
Because the eTA is a permission to travel rather than a residence status, extensions and changes of purpose are handled by Kenya's Immigration Department, not through the portal. Travellers planning to work or stay long-term should hold the right permit before arrival.
Applying alone or with help: an honest comparison
| Question | Applying yourself | With a consultancy |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Government fee only, from US$30 | Government fee plus a service fee |
| Document check before submission | Your own | Reviewed for the itinerary and accommodation fields that trigger queries |
| Group applications | Apply as a Group on the portal | Prepared together with the tour vouchers |
| Decision | Made by the Government of Kenya in both cases | Made by the Government of Kenya in both cases |
Pros of applying for the eTA yourself
- The government fee from US$30 is the only cost
- The portal and app are in English and accept applications for others
- Most approvals arrive within three business days
Cons of applying for the eTA yourself
- Incomplete itinerary or accommodation details trigger verification and restart the clock
- Each traveller, including infants, needs a separate paid application
- A pending application on the day of travel means denied boarding, and only the US$100 expedited service can rescue it
Official Sources
The information on this page has been verified from the official sources below.
Questions & Answers(7)
1Do US citizens need a visa for Kenya?
2How much does the Kenya eTA cost?
3How long does the Kenya eTA take?
4What documents are required for the Kenya eTA?
5Do children need their own Kenya eTA?
6Does an approved eTA guarantee entry to Kenya?
7Where do I apply for the Kenya eTA?
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